First kill.

To create a formidable and beastly weapon, you must acquire two crucial components. The primary requirement entails obtaining a pristine beast crystal, while the second involves securing the remaining remnants of the beast, be it bones or scales.

Although it's possible to craft a beast weapon using the crystal in isolation, this approach is best suited for those who aren't interested in fashioning an exceptionally powerful weapon from their precious crystal.

However, it's imperative to acknowledge that not all crystals can be employed in the creation of weaponry. Before embarking on the craft, the skilled forger must undertake a comprehensive and meticulous examination of the crystal's inherent properties.

Through this meticulous scrutiny, they can discern the crystal's unique attributes and determine the ideal material with which to complement it, thus creating a weapon of unparalleled excellence.

Consequently, it's worth noting that certain crystals exhibit attributes that are highly conducive to enhancement. Crystals imbued with these enhancing qualities are typically reserved for crafting an array of wearable items, ranging from rings and wristbands to amulets and even armor, rather than being confined to the creation of swords, hammers, or axes.

Moreover, there are several formidable crystals exceptionally well-suited for enhancing swords and various other combat implements. Being a skilled beast hunter necessitates having a diverse array of weaponry in one's arsenal, and dart and silver were certainly no exceptions.

At that precise moment, as if they had been restraining their power until this very moment, numerous radiant glimmers manifested across their bodies.

Silver's form was enveloped in a dark, imposing armor, with metallic wings extending from her sides. However, she didn't stop there. With an even firmer grip on her sword, she propelled herself several meters into the sky, her wings affording her sustained flight.

These wings undulated gracefully, allowing her to effortlessly maintain her aerial position. Concurrently, additional brilliance emanated from her essence. This radiance expanded into her sword, enveloping it completely, transforming it into a vibrant crimson blade that emitted searing heat, akin to a blazing inferno.

Meanwhile, Dart stood confidently before Maxwell. The ring on his finger emitted a luminous glow, though there was no visible alteration or armor adorning his form. Instead, something had materialized in his grasp—a lengthy, sinuous object resembling more of an animal's spine.

Gripping it tightly, Dart swung his weapon forward with unwavering determination, aiming it directly at the approaching beast. In a swift, vertical motion, it descended and struck the ground with force. Witnessing this unexpected move, the beast swiftly altered its course, encircling them with cunning agility.

Recognizing this newfound advantage, Dart wasted no time and surged forward, executing another spine swipe, this time in a horizontal trajectory, directing it towards Rocky.

Observing the oncoming attack, Rocky responded with a knowing grin and gracefully sidestepped the impending swipe, evading it entirely.

With Dart poised to advance, the menacing dog interposed, blocking his path. Dart resorted to wielding his ax, fiercely contested by the tenacious canine.

"I have little patience for this confrontation!" Dart bellowed as he unleashed the spine swipe. It struck the dog's gaping mouth, causing a profusion of blood to surge forth.

At that moment, yet another gleaming ring radiated its brilliance on Dart's outstretched finger. This particular ring, an augmentation band, burst into vibrant life, and its activation infused Dart's physical prowess with newfound vigor, thereby empowering him to expertly extricate the axe from the dog's menacing maw, inadvertently claiming a few jagged trophies - a scattering of teeth, in the process.

Although the looming peril had not yet reached its culmination, Dart's primary objective did not revolve around the demise of the ferocious canine. His paramount aim lay in extinguishing the looming threat named Rocky, albeit the canine beast presented itself as an irksome obstacle in his path.

In that precise moment, as the resilient beast orchestrated another surge, its dental arsenal meticulously regenerating, and its corporeal wounds miraculously mending, it vaulted towards Dart with relentless determination. It was precisely then that a clenched fist came crashing upon the canine's flank, delivering a decisive blow that sent the creature hurtling through the air and skidding across the unforgiving terrain.

"Proceed to seize him, for I shall grapple with this formidable adversary," vociferated Maxwell, his trust in Dart's formidable armament unwavering. It was evident that Dart was well-prepared for the looming showdown with Rocky, the latter harboring a profusion of concealed weaponry, leaving the onlookers to ponder if more enigmatic surprises lay hidden up his metaphorical sleeves.

Meanwhile, Silver remained far from idle, her aerial tenure characterized by anything but passivity. Armed with her fiery, scorching sword, she descended upon the feline monstrosity with an almost divine grace, the blade piercing the creature's torso with relentless determination.

It went in smoothly like melted butter, but just as she poised the sword to slice the cat free, a large tail abruptly swung, connecting with her back, forcefully pushing her off to the side. Remarkably, she managed to regain her balance using the sword. Gazing at her unexpected assailant, she discovered it was none other than a mouse. Fortunately, her armor bore the brunt of the impact; otherwise, she dreaded to contemplate her condition.

The mouse, now glaring at her with a fierce snarl, lunged forward, balancing on its hind legs and brandishing its tail menacingly. However, Silver swiftly retaliated, wielding her sword with precision, deftly cleaving through the mouse's tail, causing it to crash to the ground.

A piercing screech emanated from the mouse, and amidst its cry, another tail started sprouting from its rear. With the new appendage, it attempted another tail swipe, but Silver had already taken to the air with her wings.

Pointing her sword menacingly at the mouse, she thrust it forward, yet the agile rodent managed to evade her attack, promptly countering with an upward tail swing.

Devoid of any weapon in her hand, Silver had no choice but to brace herself. In mid-air, her maneuverability was restricted, leaving her with no alternative but to endure the impending blow and hope that her armor could endure the impending impact.

The tail became connected, causing her to be forcefully sent crashing down onto the ground, resulting in the dispersal of debris and dust all around the vicinity.

"Ouch... That hurt much more than I had anticipated," she pondered, extending her hand outward. The sword returned to her grasp, and she firmly clenched it, poised to resume the battle.

Meanwhile, Maxwell had engaged the formidable creature, while Dart pursued Rocky, who hastily retreated into the house. Without bothering to follow the conventional entrance, Dart fashioned his own point of ingress by swinging forcefully, causing a few glass panels to shatter as he vaulted into the house. The dog, influenced by Rocky's command, was on the verge of trailing the duo, but Maxwell obstructed its path.

"How does it feel to encounter an impediment on your path?" Maxwell taunted, as he hurled his fist forward. This time, he was the one initiating the blows, yet simultaneously, he sensed his fist being drawn in a particular direction. Maxwell didn't hesitate; he yielded to the guiding force this time, determined not to resist it.

His fist connected with the dog's front leg, causing it  to stumble. Maxwell followed up with another punch aimed at the dog's chin, eliciting a spurt of blood from its mouth.

He observed that the injuries were getting better noticeably quickly. The fractured legs were on the mend.

"I won't allow that to occur," thought Maxwell. The dog had extended its claw, but Maxwell chose not to evade it, instead opting to throw his fist once more, causing the dog's paw to go astray. He followed with a kick directed at the creature's torso, although it didn't yield any discernible outcome.

Nevertheless, the dog was still recuperating from the previous blows. Maxwell continued to deliver punches to the dog's face, causing it to roll on the ground in distress and torment.

Unbeknownst to Maxwell, his brass knuckles possessed not only formidable force but also the capability to generate a potent surge of energy. When this energy came into contact with anything, it infiltrated the body, targeting numerous cells and organs, resulting in excruciating pain for the victim.

It was due to this particular reason that his punches always seemed more agonizing than others.

A remarkable opportunity had manifestly materialized. As the formidable beast tumbled gracelessly upon the unforgiving floor, Maxwell, driven by an unwavering determination, surged forth with an onslaught of relentless blows upon the hapless creature. From every conceivable angle, his punches landed with unerring precision.

The dog, writhing in excruciating torment, emitted plaintive cries as it contorted upon the cold, unfeeling ground. 'The time has come to bring this to a resolute conclusion,' Maxwell ruminated with grim resolve.

He strategically withdrew, regaining his composure before launching himself forward with astonishing velocity. In a spectacular display, he ascended from the earth, elevating his hand above his cranium, deftly clapping his palms together, and subsequently descended with a formidable flourish...

At the precise moment his palms converged, a luminous and resplendent radiance materialized, accompanying the decisive downward motion of his hand, culminating in a cataclysmic collision with the beast's skull. All the amassed energy surged forth, inundating the hapless canine with a torrent of power.

Slash!!!

In a horrifying crescendo, the dog's cranium disintegrated in a gruesome spectacle, splattering a profusion of ink-black ichor across the unforgiving ground. Maxwell's form too was drenched in the grisly aftermath.

Seeing the lifeless dog on the ground, Maxwell hoped it would miraculously recover, but it seemed that wouldn't happen. The dog had been killed.

Maxwell, who had no experience with such creatures, was the one who ended the beast's life, all thanks to the mayor's gift.

Looking around, Maxwell saw Silver still fighting the rat beast. He wanted to help but noticed something concerning.

"The cat beast... It's missing," he realized, looking at the house. "Dart might be fighting alone. I don't think he can handle that on his own." With that in mind, Maxwell hurried into the house, covered in the blood of his kill.

Silver, from the corner of her eye, saw Maxwell enter the building. "Oh no, he's in trouble," she thought, feeling embarrassed.

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